CHANDIGARH: PGI is all set to formally start its amputee clinic, a concept which the doctors claim that is nowhere else in the country. This clinic will provide holistic care to patients with amputation, by involving evaluation, resuscitation and treatment after initial event (usually trauma), followed by appropriate planning and surgical interventions.
“This was being done previously too, but by various sub-specialties. Now it would be coordinated under one group to improve the amputation patient care. This will be the first of its kind and we want the PGI to be a leader to help people with disabilities,” said Prof M S Dhillon, head of the orthopaedics, who conceptualised the special clinic at the institute.
Clubbing all services under one roof, there will be specialists from various departments such as orthopaedics, physical and medical rehabilitation (PMR), occupational therapy, prosthetist, psychologists and nursing department. The doctors will also run “amputee schools” on the basis of the successful “knee school” being run at the PGI, where amputees can come together to interact with each other and get collective counselling and understand issues faced by other similar cases.
Limb amputation is no longer considered a pure orthopedic problem nowadays. The involvement of general surgeons, plastic surgeons, occupational therapists, orthotists and prosthetists along with psychiatrist are essential for post-operative rehabilitation, and the aim should be to return to preinjury profession and activities. There have been studies documenting that many such patients could potentially fall out of the rehabilitation process, which often has disastrous consequences.
“Rather than referring patients to different areas, which adds to their anxiety levels and stress, all such facilities can be availed under one roof. Additional benefits include development of a comprehensive database, which not only provides a platform for future research, but also significantly gives essential information about the burden, long-term complications and rehabilitation issues of these amputees,” said Prof Dhillon.
At these amputee clinics and amputee schools, family counselling by psychiatrists or psychologists and PMR specialists will also be done.
“Additionally, we will provide guidance in the form of printed booklets, government agencies and website that can help, along with coordination with the same, and give helpline details and contact numbers. A PGI helpline and Facebook page has already been started to help and guide the amputees,” said Prof Dhillon.
According to an old study (as very few studies are done in this area), there were nearly 62 amputees in India per 1lakh population, which translates to almost 1 million individuals living with amputations in the country.